Reservoir-pen.



No. 7||,958. Patented Oct. 28, I902.

v R. T. GILLESPI'E.

RESERVOIR PEN.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT T GILLESPIE, OF ROCHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

RESERVOIR-PEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent 'N 0. 711,958, dated October 28, 1902.

Application filed August 21, 1901. Serial No. 72,779. (No model.)

To all whom it nutty concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT T. GILLEsPIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reservoir-Pens, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved reservoir-pen. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view showing the lid raised. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View on the line III III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the spring-bearing cup. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the inner ferrule and ink-retaining lid, the lid being in a lowered position. Fig. 6 is an inner face view of the lid detached. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view thereof on the line VII VII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a modified construction. Fig. 9 is a side View of the lid shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on the line X X of Fig. 8. Figs. 11 and 12 are views similar to Figs. 8 and 9, showing a further modified construction. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view on the line XIII XIII of Fig. 11.

My invention relates to improvements in fountain-pens, more particularly to that class of pens wherein the ink is stored between the pen-point and an adjacent closing lid or wall, and it refers to the particular construction and arrangement of such wall, the means by which it is maintained and adjusted in relation to the pen-point and also held away therefrom, as well as to various other details of construction,as I shall hereinafter describe.

The invention is designed for the purpose of holding a larger body of ink than has been practical in any of the constructions heretofore designed by me or others and depends largely upon the operation of capillary attraction, for which the form of the lid is especially adapted.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the main stem of the holder, to the lower extremity of which is secured in any suitable orpreferred manner the ferrule 3, adapted to receive and hold between it and the usual inner ferrule 3' the pen-point 5, which may be the ordinary steel orother pen of commerce and which may beremoved from time totime in the usual manner. The inner ferrule 4; consists mainly of a cylindrical barrel-shaped body portion composed of two semicylindrical sides suitably connected by rivets or brazing or made in one piece, as may be preferred. This inner lid supporting and controlling ferrule 41 is adapted to fit within the inside ferrule 3' and to be heldtherein by any suitable means or devices-as, forinstance, by cementing or any suitable mechanical connection. For the purpose of facilitating such holding action the inner ferrule is made to fit neatly within the outer ferrules and to have therein a binding hold, and it is also preferably provided with a projection or rib 6, adapted to fit in a corresponding recess or socket 7 in the outer ferrules, such construction also facilitating the correct alinement of the parts. I do not desire to be limited, however, specifically to such holding or guiding means, as it is obvious that others may be easily substituted therefor by the skilled mechanic.

The ferrule 4 terminates at its forward end in cheeks 8 S, closely adjacent to each other,

between which is pivoted the inner end 9 of the lid 10, such inner end being provided with flat bearing-faces 11 11, against which abuts the corresponding fiat face 12 0f a cup 13, into which projects the inner end of a coiled spring 14, mounted in the interior of the cylindrical ferrule 4, and which spring constantly exerts an outward pressure against one or the other of the flat shoulders or faces 11 of the lid by which pressure it is held positively in either a raised or lowered position. The lid 10 is of such a length as to extend downwardly within a short distance of the pen-point, leaving an open space 15, through which when the lid is lowered ink will fiow to the point, the lid terminating in a square end, as shown. Above the tip of the lid on its sides are made lateral openings 16, through which when the lid is upon the pen-point the ink will flow, so as to fill the inner cavity up to such opening. In any suitable position above the tip the lid may .also'be provided with one or more holes 17, through which ink may also flow in filling the pen and through which air may freely enter to facilitate the flow of the ink in the operation of writing. The under side of the lid is provided with a series of cross ribs or projections-18, closely adjacent to each other, with intervening spaces 19, a longitudinal channel being preferably provided to facilitate the flow of theink downward to the point. These ribs or projections may be of any suitable construction or formation, either extending across the under side of the lid, as shown in the principal figures of the drawings, or obliquely arranged, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, or they may also consist simply of a series of projections 21, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, and so arranged that the intervening space between them will not be too great to prevent the force and effect of capillary attraction, it only being necessary in order to utilize such force to slightly separate the ribs or projections, which may be comparatively thin and as numerous as desired. It will be understood that the scale of the drawings is about twice that of the usual size and that the proportions of the projections and intervening spaces as shown is therefore greatly exaggerated. These projections are of sufficient length to extend across the area between the pen-point and the lid when the lid is closed, as in Fig. 1. The back of the lid is provided with a lip 22, under which the finger-nail may be inserted and by which the lid may be raised for the purpose of cleaning or removing or the insertion of a fresh pen-point. The lid is preferably formed of hard rubber, which may be molded in the forms I have shown and which is well adapted for the objects in view otherwise, although I do not desire to be limited to such material, as it is obvious that other substances or metals of various kinds may be substituted with good results.

For the purpose of positively retaining the downward movement of the lid and preventing it from bearing for its full length upon the point the inner ribs or projections may be made slightly longer or deeper than the others, whereby they will be held free from contact, andthe flow of the ink will be likewise facilitated.

It will be noted that the lid is pivotally mounted in the independent inner barrel or ferrule and has no fixed attachment to the pen-point, thus permittingsuch pen-point to be removed, adjusted, or cleaned by simply turning thelid up, and such construction provides a serviceable device for the objects in view, while providing a penholder capable of being used with almost any standard penpoint as may be preferred by the user and which may be renewed at pleasure.

The device is very simple in construction, cheap and easy to make and use, and provides an article for the purpose in view which obviates the necessity of frequent dipping of the pen-point in the ink, while its advantages and desirability will be readily appreciated by all writers.

Various changes and modifications maybe made in the specific construction without departing from the invention as embodied in the following claims.

What I claim is- 1. A penholder provided with means for holding the pen, a pivoted lid adapted to form with the pen an ink-holding cavity, provided with inner bearing-shoulders, and a pressure-spring mounted in the interior of the holder provided with a terminal cup adapted to bear against the shoulders to hold the lid in a lowered or raised position.

2. A penholder provided with means for vening spaces adapted to hold the ink by capillary attraction, and a central channel leading to the tip, said lid having inner bearing-shoulders, and adapted to form with the pen an ink-holding cavity, and a coiled spring mounted in the-interiorof the holder and adapted to exert pressure against the shoulders to hold the lid in a lowered or raised po sition. v

4. A penholder provided with an inner ferrule, a lid pivotally mounted in the ferrule and adapted to form with the pen an inkholding cavity, such lid being provided with inner projections and intervening spaces to hold the ink by capillary attraction and having bearing-faces upon its inner end; a cup adapted to bear upon such faces, and a spring mounted in the holder adapted to exert pressure thereon.

5. The combination with an outer penholder-ferrule, of an inner ferrule provided with forwardly-extending cheeks, means for keeping the outer and inner ferrules in alinement, a lid pivotally mounted between the cheeks adapted to form with the pen an inkholding cavity, and provided with means for holding the ink by capillary attraction, and a spring mounted in the inner ferrule and provided with a terminal cup adapted to bear upon shoulders of the lid to hold it in a lowered or raised position.

6. In a penholder of the class described: an ink-retaining lid provided on its under surface with extended ribs or projections converging toward the point, intervening spaces to hold the ink by capillary attraction, a central channel, and a rear pivotal bearing provided with spring-bearing shoulders disposed at right angles to each other and a spring adapted to exert pressure against said shoulders.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT T. GILLESPIE.

Witnesses:

E. P. GILLESPIE, CHARLES A. WEBSTER. 

